Last week I got to see the still under construction Oxford Bend Park, part of the Great Rivers Greenway network in St. Louis. (Read: not quite open to the public!) What I love is that they’re asking one piece of public land to do many things: rain garden, pavilion, playground, gathering space, and skate features. Instead of concentrating skaters into a separate skate park, the design integrates skating into the everyday life of the park. Cities have a tendency to concentrate everything. One big store instead of lots of little shops. One megachurch instead of neighborhood churches. One skate park instead of places to skate throughout the city. I love seeing a park designed around the idea that different people and different activities can simply exist alongside each other. Thanks to: Emma! For making this whole trip happen. Randy, the professional skateboarder who gave me an idea for the skate prison video! And to Brittany, a local advocate who showed up and gave a broader perspective ...